Group looking for homeless "Warm Room" in South Lake Tahoe

For an estimated 20 days a year, homeless people would have access to a "warm room" where they can seek refuge when temperatures drop below freezing and conditions are deemed unsafe.

The Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH) asked the South Lake Tahoe City Council today for access to the recreation center between the hours of 8:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. on nights when there is a forecast of extreme temperatures. Wanting to keep the homeless population on the South Shore safe, TCH asked for permission to house approximately 20 men and women on a temporary basis.

Scott Weavil of TCH made a presentation to the council on their plan to help the vulnerable members of the community, telling them the pilot one year project would be a temporary solution and they are looking for something permanent for the homeless.

Citing many concerns with the proposal, TCH and their Warm Room Project was turned down. While council members understood the problem and want to find a solution, they said they didn't feel using a public property used by families was the right answer.

"This is a delicate subject," said Mayor Hal Cole. "I know we need a warm and safe room, but don't think the Recreation Center is the right spot."

The Council did say they want to participate in a solution and see if any other spaces the City owns would work. TCH will look at public and private partnerships, including the City of South Lake Tahoe.

"I am proud to be a part of the coalition," said Hillary Bittman of Unity at the Lake. "I am confident we can build upon our collective strengths to make the warm room happen."

Rabbi Evon Yakar of Temple Bat Yam and a member of TCH also talked to the Council, telling them that being neighbors is a moral concept. "We're working together to end homelessness in our community," he said.

Valid concerns they brought up included how to screen users of the Warm Room, how they'd turn people down, what to do with dogs, having an adequately trained staff and compassionate solutions to making people leave when the room closed in the morning.

The Council heard from several people on the subject, from a former homeless person to a Parks & Recreation Commissioner.

Temple Bat Yam, Unity at the Lake, Live Violence Free, Barton Health, the Red Cross, the casinos, El Dorado County Mental Health and other partners make up the Coalition.

Dr. Leigh Wayne Miller of Barton Health and the Coalition said TCH will work with all local partners in finding a sustainable solution as winter is quickly approaching.

Reverend Clare C. Novak of St. Patrick's Episcopal Church in Incline Village called for a united action to help homeless around the lake since the North Shore has the same problem and they see people dying from exposure annually.

Grass Valley, a city 100 miles to the northwest at an elevation of about 2,500 feet. They were able to involve the Salvation Army in creating a winter warming shelter in 2012. There also similar set ups in Nevada City, Merced and many other communities across the country.

TCH is looking at these examples for solutions to the Lake Tahoe issue and will be working with local realtors to identify possible locations.